Deals

Reed Exhibitions announces definitive agreement to acquire Mack Brooks Exhibitions, opening window to new value for customers on three continents

According to the FT the hedge fund-backed US newspaper group known for hollowing out American newsrooms in its pursuit of cost cuts has proposed a takeover of USA Today owner Gannett, valuing the company at $1.4bn.

According to the Daily Mail: City sources said Mack Brooks, which stages exhibitions and conferences for the transport, chemicals and packaging industries, has been working with PricewaterhouseCoopers advisers on a potential sale in recent weeks. Bankers say publishing giant, the RELX group, has been toughing it out with private equity firm Inflexion in the final stages of a sale process.

FIPP’s annual review of magazine M&A last year. In this industry, change is constant. Though, over the last number of years, we’ve seen increasing numbers of mergers and acquisitions on the media landscape. 2018 was no different, with magazine media marketplaces restructuring, consolidating and diversifying. “You’ve got that kind of thing going on where everyone’s for sale,” Tony Haile, Scroll CEO, told Joe Pompeo at Vanity Fair.

Hachette UK has acquired the Sheldon Press, a specialist medical, mental health and self-help imprint of the Christian knowledge publisher SPCK. It will become part of John Murray Learning. The deal was completed following the signing of an agreement between SPCK’s board and Hachette UK on Wednesday (2nd January). The sum paid for the list was undisclosed.

Funds advised by Providence Equity Partners (“Providence”) have signed an agreement to invest in CloserStill Media (“CloserStill”), one of the world’s leading independent organisers of trade shows and events. Providence agreed to acquire a majority stake from Inflexion Private Equity (“Inflexion”), NVM Private Equity (“NVM”) and management. Phil Soar and Phil Nelson, co-founders of CloserStill, as well as the broader management team, will remain major shareholders alongside Providence. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

After several months’ negotiations, the Mark Allen Group (MAG) Has confirmed the acquisition of various Rhinegold assets.

These assets include: Choir & Organ, International Piano, Classical Music, Teaching Drama and Music Teacher, as well as the annual British Music Yearbook, the annual British Music Education Yearbook and the Music & Drama Expos in London and Manchester.

In a separate deal, MAG has also acquired from DC Thomson the goodwill of Opera Now, which previously was under licence to Rhinegold.

CarGurus, a leading global automotive marketplace, and Haymarket Media Group, a specialist international media company, today announced they have signed an agreement for CarGurus to acquire used car motoring website PistonHeads. The acquisition is another step in CarGurus’ plans to accelerate growth and expand its consumer audience in the UK, where it launched in 2015.

Euromoney to acquire BoardEx and The Deal for $87.3 million from TheStreet. The products combine relationship mapping with deal intelligence creating a powerful workflow tool across multiple industries

Diversified Communications UK is delighted to announce the acquisition of Digital Construction Week – the UK’s leading trade show dedicated to digital construction, engineering, design, manufacturing, and operation. Digital Construction Week (DCW), which has grown rapidly since its launch event in 2015, has become known for its comprehensive, high-quality seminar and conference programme and for the seniority of delegates who annually attend. The latest edition, held at ExCeL London on 17-18 October, was its most successful to date, with over 6,500 visitors, 200 exhibitors, around 250 speakers presenting across six stages, and dedicated thought leadership conference stream. The event complements Diversified’s industry leading, international event portfolio, which already includes: GEO Business in London; Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Amsterdam; DesignBUILD in Sydney; AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference and SPAR 3D in Anaheim, California; International LiDAR Mapping Forum in Denver, Colorado; and Commercial UAV Expo Americas in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LONDON (Reuters) – Martin Sorrell’s new company S4 Capital (SFOR.L) said on Monday it was in advanced talks to buy MightyHive, a San Francisco-based programmatic advertising group that partners with major brands.

The award-winning Nineteen Group today announces that it has acquired Western Business Exhibitions (“WBE”). The acquisition of WBE adds another ten events to the Nineteen Group portfolio and seven market-leading trade publications.

Fairfax shareholders gave “overwhelming” support for the multi-billion dollar merger. The deal was possible after Australia relaxed its media ownership laws last year. The new business will be called Nine, losing the well-known Fairfax name.

Johnston Press, which owns papers including the  i, The Scotsman and The Yorkshire Post, has been saved at the eleventh hour. Newly-formed company JPIMedia announced it had bought Johnston Press on Saturday after the publisher put itself into administration. The publisher had been looking to refinance £220m of debt due to be repaid in June next year.

Centaur, an international provider of market intelligence and specialist consultancy, announces that it has appointed Livingstone Partners and Cavendish Corporate Finance as advisers to assist with its divestment programme. As announced in October, following a strategic review Centaur is accelerating the simplification of the Group’s structure to improve operational execution and to focus attention on the leading brands within its marketing division.

Martin Sorrell is closing in on his second acquisition since starting his new S4 Capital group and is in talks to buy MightyHive, a US programmatic advertising company, according to people briefed on the plans.

Healthcare knowledge provider BMJ has acquired a minority interest in health tech startup, Patchwork (formerly known as Locum Tap), to help hospitals better manage demand for NHS locum staff, it has announced.

Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory announced today that it has acquired eVision Industry Software BV, a global provider of industrial operational risk management software, for $145 million, excluding a deferred contingent consideration.

Endeavor Business Media has acquired Vendome Group’s Healthcare Informatics brand, the Nashville-based b2b firm announced Friday.

Rockville, Md.-based b2b media and information company Access Intelligence—parent company to Folio:—has acquired P3C Media, owner and operator of the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Conference and Expo, for an undisclosed sum, the two firms announced Monday.